Kochi Tuskers Kerala
Not even a century by Sachin Tendulkar could stop the Kochi Tuskers from netting their first victory in the current version of IPL tournament. Brendon McCullum’s killer innings of 81 made things easier!
Wankhede Stadium is known to be a batsman’s heaven and Mumbai Indians set a mammoth run chase of 183.Earlier Tendulkar thrilled the spectators with his first ever IPL century which was filled with 12 fours and 3 sixes. But the Tuskers stunned the Mumbai Indians by chasing down the grand total to silence the spectators at Wankhede Stadium.
Brendon McCullum and Mahela Jayawardene played intelligent cricket by scoring boundaries at the start of each over to put the pressure on the Mumbai Indian bowlers and to keep pace with the required run rate of almost 9.10 an over. The opening duo completed half centuries to silent the home crowd and created tension for the Indians.
With the momentum bending firmly on the visitor’s side, Tendulkar was forced to bring Lasith Malinga back onto the attack earlier than planned as there was an urgent necessity to capture a wicket and make a breakthrough. The Sri Lankan bowler Malinga looked under pressure bowling against compatriot Jayawardene and ended up conceding 12 runs before he struck with a perfectly bowled yorker which uprooted his middle stump.
McCullum continued to play his natural game amassing 13 runs off Kieron Pollard in the 17th over to leave the Tuskers needing 27 runs from 18 balls. Malinga came back into the attack and tricked McCullum with another perfect yorker instead of a slower ball after Davy Jacobs came up to the stumps to keep wicket. No doubt the Tuskers felt a major blow, but new batsman kept his nerves calm. With 27 runs from 17 balls, Brad Hodge and Ravindra Jadeja scores scored 11 and 25 respectively to propel Kochi towards victory with 6 balls remaining. Ravindra Jadeja smashed 20 runs in the last over to wrap the match an over earlier.
Tags: Cricket, Indian Premier League, IPL, Kochi Tuskers Kerala, KTK, MI, Mumbai Indians, Sachin Tendulkar, Wankhede Stadium
